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\ 



PROCEEDINGS 

OF A 



FROM SEVERAL OF THE 



NEW-ENGLAND STATES, 

Held at Boston, August 3-9, 1780, 

TO ADVISE ON AFFAIRS 

NECESSARY TO PROMOTE THE MOST 

VIGOROUS PROSECUTION OF THE WAR, 

AND TO PROVIDE FOR 

A GENEROUS RECEPTION OF 

OUR FRENCH ALLIES. 



EDITED FROM AN ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT RECORD IN THE 
NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY, 

WITH 

En jFntrotiurtion anti Kotcsi, 

By franklin B. HOUGH. 




ALBANY, N. Y. : 

J. MUNSELL, 82 STATE ST. 

1867. 






No. 



Edition ioo Copies. 



PREFACE. 




HE following Journal is 
printed from a Manufcript 
Copy of the Proceedings of the 
Convention to which it relates, 
that was tranfmitted to George 
Clinton, Governor of New York, by 
Thomas Cufhing, Prefident of the Con- 
vention, with tha Defign of enlifting 
his favorable Attention and Aid in the 
Meafures recommended. 

Although alluded to in the cotemporary 
Correfpondence of their Day, we have 
never feen them in Print. In placing the 
Record of thefe Proceedings within the 
Reach of public Libraries, and CoUedors 
of American Hiftory, we feel the Affur- 



iv Preface. 

ance that the patriotic Spirit and Tone 
that they evince, will leave an Impreflion 
favorable to the Parties concerned, and 
afford additional Proofs of the earneft 
and heroic Determination that adiuated 
the Founders of our Republic. 

But thefe Papers derive a ftill greater 
Intereft, from the Evidence they prefent 
of the Convidlion of their Framers in the 
Neceffity of a ftill ftronger Bond of Union 
among the States, than could be fecured 
by the Articles of Union and Confedera- 
tion then under Difcuilion, and already 
adopted by moft of the States. The 
Members of this Convention declared 
their Belief, that the Powers of Congrefs 
fhould be more clearly afcertained and 
defined, and that the important national 
Concerns of the United States fhould be 
under the Superintendency and Direction 
of one fufreme Head. This Theory was 



Preface. v 

not realized until the Adoption of the 
Federal Conftitution, nearly nine Years 
afterwards; and the Bofton Convention 
of Auguft, 1780, may, we believe, be 
regarded as the firft public Expreffion of 
Opinion, by a deliberative Body, in Favor 
of fuch a Meafure. They urged the Adop- 
tion of the Articles of Confederation, as 
effential to the public Good ; yet, as 
thefe Articles did not provide the fupreme 
executive Head, which they believed to 
be neceffary for the national Welfare, it is 
evident that they regarded them as falling 
fhort of the Wants of the Government, 
although probably at the Time the beft 
that could be fecured. 

We may therefore be permitted to offer 
thefe Proceedings, as a commendable Re- 
cord of Patriotifm and Forethought on 
the Part of thofe who participated in 
them, and the Refolutions reported, as 



vi Preface. 

among the earlieft Movements towards 
the eftabhfhment of a Form of Govern- 
ment analogous to that which went into 
Effe6i: on the fourth of March, 1789; 
and their Authors as entitled to an 
honorable Claim for the Honors due to 
Pioneers in the Formation of our National 

Union. 

F. B. H. 





INTRODUCTION. 




,HE Condition of our public Affairs, in 
the Summer of 1780, had become greatly 
embarraffed by the Decline in Value of 
the Bills of Credit, that had been Iffued in 
the early Part of the War, and which had fallen 
to a merely nominal Value. The Coft of Tranf- 
portation and Supplies for the Army had increafed 
in a proportional Degree. The Pay of Officers 
and Soldiers no longer proved adequate to meet 
their own Wants and the preffing Demands of 
their Families. Supplies could no longer be 
procured with this Money by voluntary Sale, and 
vigorous Meafures became neceflary to fuftain the 
military Operations of the Campaign, by other 
Means than thofe employed with a full Treafury 
and a national Credit unimpaired. 



viii IntroduBion. 

Although, with the Exception of the more 
fouthern Colonies, the Enemy at this Period had 
made no conliderable Progrefs in their Efforts at 
Conqueft, and only held a narrow Trad at a few 
Points along the Coaft, as the Fruit of their five 
Years Struggle, they had of late evinced confider- 
able Activity. Incurfions along the northern and 
weftern Frontiers became frequent, withdrawing 
a confiderable Force from the Continental Army 
and the State Militia for garrifoning the Pofts in 
the Interior, and refulting in ferious Lofs from 
the Deftrud:ion of Provifions, and the Negled: 
of Agriculture, which the exifting War occa- 
lioned. 

The Refources of the Country were becoming 
rapidly exhaufted, but the Afpirations for that 
Independence which the Colonies had alTerted 
were never more earneft than at this Period. 
The Condition of public Affairs at this Crifis 
will be beff underffood from the following Letter 
of General Wafhington to Congrefs, and the 
Correfpondence and Circulars that follow : 



IntroduEiion, ix 



LETTER FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO CONGRESS. 

Head-Barters^ Orangetown, ) 
Auguft 17th, 1780* ) 
Gentlemen, 

We are now arrived at the middle of Auguft ; 
if we are able to undertake any Thing in this 
Quarter this Campaign, our Operations muft 
commence in lefs than a Month from this, or it 
will be abfolutely too late. It will then be much 
later than were to be wiftied, and with all the 
Exertions that can be made, we fhall probably 
be greatly ftraitened in Time. 

But I think it my Duty to inform you, that 
our Profpedis of operating diminifh in Proportion 
as the Effects of our Applications to the refpediive 
States unfold ; and I am forry to add, that we have 
every Reafon to apprehend, we fhall not be in a 
Condition at all to undertake any Thing decifive. 

The Completion of our Continental Battalions 
to their full Eftablifhment of five hundred and 
four Rank and File, has been uniformly and 
juftly held up as the Bafis of offenfive Operations. 

* This Letter does not occur among the Writings of General Wafh- 
ington, edited by Mr. Spari<s, and we are not aware that it has ever 
before been printed. 

B 



X IntroduSiion, 

How far we have fallen (hort of this the following 
State of the Levies received, and of the prefent 
Deficiency will fliow. 

By a Return to the nth Inftant we have re- 
ceived from, 

Rank and File. 

New Hampfhire, _ - - - 457 

Malfachufetts, _ _ - - 2,898 

Rhode Ifland, ----- 502 

Connefticut, _ _ _ _ 1,356 

New York, ----- 283 

New Jerfey, - - - - 165 

Pennfylvania, - - - - - 482 

6,143 
The Deficiencies of the Battalions, from a 

Return of the 1 2th, allowing for the Levies fmce 

arrived to the i6th are : 

Rank and File. 

Of New Hampfhire, 3 Battalions, - - 248 

Of Malfachufetts, including Jackfon's ) 

adopted, 16 Battalions, - - - ) ' 

Of Rhode Ifland, 2 do., - - - 198 

Of Connedicut, including Webb's Bat-( ^ g^^ 

talion adopted, - - - - ) 

Of New York, 5 Battalions, - - - 1,234 
New Jerfey, 3 do., _ _ - ^569 

Pennfylvania, 4 do., - - - 2,768 

In the Whole, 10,397 Rank and File. 



IntroduBion. xi 

If the Amount of thefe Deficiences, and the 
detached Corps necelTary on the Frontier, and at 
particular Pofts, be deducted and a proper Allow- 
ance made for the ordinary Cafualties, and for 
the extra Calls upon the Army for Waggoners, 
Artificers, &c., it will be eafy to conceive how 
inadequate our operating Force muft be to any 
capital Enterprife againft the Enemy. It is 
indeed barely fufhcient for Defence. 

Hitherto all the Militia for three Months that 
have taken the Field under my Orders have been 
about 

700 from New Hampfhire. 
1,700 from MafTachufetts. 
800 from New York. 
500 from New Jerfey. 

A Part of the eaftern Militia has been detained 
to affift our Allies at Rhode Ifland, and will 
fhortly march to join the Army. But from all 
the Information I have, the Number of Militia 
will fall as far fhort of the Demands as the Con- 
tinental Troops; and from the flow Manner in 
which the latter have for fome Time pafi; come 
in, I fear we have had nearly the Whole we are 
to exped:. 

In the Article of Provifions, our Profpeds 



xii IntroduEiion, 

are equally unfavourable. We are now fed on 
a precarious Supply from Day to Day. The 
Commillary, from what has been done in the 
feveral States, fo far from giving AlTurances of a 
Continuance of this Supply, fpeaks in the moft 
difcouraging Terms ; as you will perceive by the 
inclofed Copy of a Letter of the 15th, in which 
he propofes the fending back the Pennfylvania 
Militia, who were to alTemble at Trenton the 
1 2th, on the Principle of a Failure of Supplies. 

As to Forage, and Tranfportation, our Profpedis 
are ftill worfe. Thefe have lately been procured 
by military Imprefs — a Mode too violent, une- 
qual, oppreffive and confequently odious to the 
People, to be long practiced with Succefs. 

In this State of Things, Gentlemen, I leave it 
to your own Judgment to determine how little 
it will be in my Power to anfwer the Public 
Expediation unlefs more competent Means can 
be — and without Delay, put into my Hands. 
From the Communications of the General and 
Admiral of our Allies, the Second Divifion, 
without fome very unfavorable Contrary, will 
in all Probability arrive before the Time men- 
tioned as the ultimate Period for commencing 
our Operations. I fubmit it to you, whether it 



IntroduEiion. xiii 

will not be advifable, immediately to lay before 
the feveral States a View of Circumftances at this 
JuncSture, in Confequence of which they may 
take their Meafures. 

I have the Honor to be, with the greateft 
Refped; and Efteem, 

Gentlemen, 

Your moft obedient Serv't, 

Geo. Washington. 

N. B. The Return of the Rhode Illand Re- 
cruits is of the laft of July. More may have 
fmce joined. There is a Body of Connedlicut 
State Troops and Militia employed in preparing 
Fafcines, &c., on the Sound. 



CIRCULAR LETTER OF COMMITTEE OF CONGRESS. 

[Referred to in the Meflage of Gov. Clinton, given in the Appendix.] 

In Committee of Congrefs, 
Camp Tappan, Auguft i6, 1780. 

(CIRCULAR.) 

Sir, 

Enclofed you will receive Copy of a Letter of 
the 1 8th Inftant from the CommilTary General. 

Circumftanced as our Army at Prefent is, the 



xiv IntroduSiion. 

Information contained in this Letter becomes 
truly alarming. It requires the utmoft Attention 
of the Officers, together with all the NecelTaries 
and even Comforts of Life, to render the Service 
acceptable to Recruits ; and as the greateft Part 
of the Army at Prefent confifts of that Clafs of 
Men, if the Time fhould unhappily arrive when 
we will be reduced to the Neceffity of putting 
them on half Allowance of Provifions or probably 
have none to give them, the Confequence muft 
be, that thefe Men unaccuftomed to endure this 
Species of Diftrefs, and not brought to that State 
of Difcipline which can give their Officers that 
Controul over them, they have acquired over the 
old Soldiers, mufl: revolt at the Idea of tamely 
fubmitting to a Service, when divefted as they 
are of every Privilege the Soldiers of all Armies 
are entitled to, and are furnifhed with, they 
cannot receive even the Means of Subfiftence. 
If reduced to the Extremity I have juft men- 
tioned, and an irreconcilable Difguft fhould once 
take Place among thefe Men, and Defertions (or 
perhaps Something worfe) begin, the Contagion 
will, beyond a Doubt pervade the whole Army. 
For it is not to be expelled that the few old 
Soldiers now remaining will be difpofed to go 



In trodu Eiion. x v 

on, enduring the Calamities they have {o often 
experienced, when they find others equally bound 
with themfelves and who have as yet had none 
of thefe Difficulties to encounter, manifesting fo 
refradiory a Spirit at what they conceive to be 
Trifles, compared with their own Suflferings. 
Should fuch an Event take Place, the Train of 
ruinous Confequences that will inevitably enfue, 
muft at once ftrike you fo obvioufly, as to 
render unnecelfary my entering into a Detail of 
them. 

We do therefore earneftly requeft you. Sir, that 
the Officers of your State, appointed to procure 
and forward the Supplies, may be called on, in 
the moft urgent Manner, to give their utmoft 
Attention to the important Bulinefs of keeping 
the Army regularly fupplied with your Quota of 
the Articles that has been affigned to your State, 
as you muft plainly perceive what Embarraffinent 
the leaft Remiffion on the Part of the States or 
any of them muft throw us into : For it muft 
be remembered, that the monthly Supplies are 
no more than what is barely necelfary for the 
Confumption of the Army in that Time. 

It is true that the Army at Prefent does not 
amount to the Numbers on which the Eftimate 



xvi IntroduEtion, 

was made, but as the Men are daily coming in, 
we are to fuppofe that the Complement of Men 
will be made up by the End of this Month. 
But at all Events, it is incumbent on us to be 
provided to anfwer the largeft Demands that can 
be made on us. 

It is not only the immediate Supplies of the 
Army, that the Committee would wifh to call 
your Attention to, but likewife the Neceffity there 
is of the greateft Punctuality in furnifhing the 
Supplies agreeable to the Requifitions that have 
been heretofore made, to prevent in future. Alarms 
of this Nature, and our giving you further Trouble 
on the Subjed:. 

I have the Honor to be, 

with the higheft Refpe6t 
Your Excellency's 

Moft obedient Servant, 
In behalf of the Committee, 

Jno. Matthews. 
His Excellency, 
George Clinton, Efq. 



IntroduElion. xvii 



LETTER FROM EPHRAIM BLAINE, COMMISSARY GE- 
NERAL OF PURCHASES, TO A COMMITTEE OF 
CONGRESS. 

Tappariy 15th Auguft, 1780. 
Gentlemen, 

The Army daily increafing, and a Declenfion 
of Supplies, makes me dread the moft fatal Con- 
fequences. Our Continental Magazines are quite 
exhaufted, in every Part of the United States, 
and no other Method of procuring Provifions, 
but through the refpe6tive States. The Requifi- 
tion of Congrefs upon the States was calculated 
to fupply the American Army and its Dependen- 
cies. That made by your honorable Committee 
was to anfwer the Demands of the Campaign, 
agreeable to a Calculation for that Purpofe. Many 
of the States have done little, others are moving 
flowly, and thofe who are ufing their utmoft 
Exertions will fall fhort of the Supplies required. 
I have this Day received Advice that there is 
little Flour at Elk, Chriftana, and the Commu- 
nication to Trenton, of Courfe the Supply of 
that Article muft fail. The States who are called 
upon for Cattle are alfo tardy. The Army now 
fed from Hand to Mouth, (on the Receivals of 
this Day depend the liTues of tomorrow). In 
C 



xviii IntroduElion, 

this critical Situation is an Army, which con- 
fumes twenty five thoufand Rations daily, two 
thirds of which are new Levies, not accuftomed 
to the Hardfliips of the Field, or Want of Pro- 
vifions in Camp. Under thefe Circumftances 
two Days Failure of Supplies might be attended 
with difagreeable Events, which might not be 
in the Power of his Excellency the Commander- 
in-Chief to remedy. Have therefore to requeft 
you to ufe every poffible Meafure with Congrefs, 
and the executive Authorities of the refpedtive 
States, to pay due Attention to your Demands. 
A Negle6t of which will be a DilTolution of the 
Army. 

In the former Syftem of the Commiflariat, all 
Perfons employed in the Department were, by 
an Order of Congrefs, exempted from militia 
Duty and Fine. The Perfons employed in Phila- 
delphia are all clafled and fined, without they 
render perfonal Service. My Calhier, who has 
the principal Dired:ion of my Office when ab- 
fent, the Receival of all Letters and Settlement of 
Accounts — but one Clerk to affifi: in tranfadting 
the whole of my Bufinefs, feveral other Perfons 
employed as Receivers and Drovers of Cattle — 
thefe Perfons have fcarcely a daily Subfifience ; 



IntroduElion. xix 

and without they are exempted from thefe Fines, 
which they are not able to pay, I muft be under 
the Neceffity of lliutting up my Office, and all 
Bufinefs ceafe. One of my Clerks is fined four 
thoufand Dollars, the other eleven hundred 
Pounds. Have not been informed what other 
Perfons have to pay. I requell your Anfwer to 
this Matter, as they have wrote me if the Public 
do not exempt them from Payment of their 
Fines, Neceffity will oblige them to quit my 
Office. 

You may reft affiared of my utmoft Endeavours 
to keep up Supplies, but prefent Profpedls are 
not favorable ; and believe every Endeavour will 
prove ineffediual without the States ufe four Fold 
Exertions. 

I have the Honor to be. 

With every Sentiment of Efteem, 

Your moft obedient, humble Serv't, 

Eph. Blaine, C. G. P. 

The Honorable 
Committee of Congrefs. 



XX IntroduElion, 



LETTER FROM GOVERNOR CLINTON TO EPHRAIM 

BLAINE. 

Poughkeepjie, i8th Auguft, 1780. 
Sir, 

Your Letter of the 9th Inftant is this Moment 
delivered me. Every Exertion making for col- 
lecting the fpecific Supplies required of this State. 
The Moment this is accomplilLed, there will not 
be the leaft Objed:ion againft the Agent for this 
State extending his Purchafes as much farther as 
the Refources of the State will admit of, and the 
public Service may require. But as fuch extra 
Purchafes muft be made at the Expenfe of the 
United States, and under the Direction of the 
Commilfary General, it will be neceffary that he 
fhould have your Order for the Purpofe ; without 
which, however preffing the Demand, I am not 
authorized to dired: him to exceed the Requifi- 
tion made of [onj the State. 

Should he receive your Orders you may rely 
on any Affiftance in my Power to render his 
Appointments as extenlively ufeful as pollible. 
I am, Sir, 

Your moft obedient Serv't, 

G. Clinton. 



IntroduBion. xxi 



CIRCULAR LETTER OF COMMITTEE OF CONGRESS. 

In Committee ofCongrefs, \ 
Camp Tappan, Auguft 19, 1780. \ 

(CIRCULAR.) 

Sir, 

When America (lood alone againfl: one of the 
moft powerful Nations of the Earth, the Spirit 
of Liberty feemed to animate her Sons to the 
nobleft Exertions, and each Man cheerfully con- 
tributed his Aid in Support of her deareft Rights. 
When the Hand of Tyranny feemed to bear its 
greateft Weight on this devoted Country, their 
Virtue and Perfeverance appeared moft confpi- 
cuous, and rofe fuperior to every Difficulty. If 
then, fuch Patriotifm manifefted itfelf throughout 
all Ranks and Orders of Men amongft us, fhall 
it be faid at this Day, this early Day of our En- 
franchifement and Independence, that America 
has grown tired of being free ? Let us. Sir, but 
for a Moment take a retrofpedive View of our 
then Situation, and compare it with the prefent, 
and draw fuch Dedudions from the Premifes 
as every reafonable Man, or fet of Men, ought 

to do. 

In the early Stage of this glorious Revolution 



xxii IntroduElion, 

we flood alone. We had neither Army, miHtary 
Stores, Money, or in (hort any of thofe Means 
which are requifite to authorize a Reliftance. 
The Undertaking was phyfically againft us. But 
Americans abhorred the very Idea of Slavery. 
Therefore repofing the Righteoufnefs of their 
Caufe in the Hands of the Supreme Difpofer of 
all human Events, they boldly ventured to defy 
the Vengeance of a Tyrant, and either preferve 
their Freedom inviolate to themfelves and Pof- 
terity, or perifh in the Attempt. This was the 
Situation and Temper of the People of this 
Country in the Beginning of this Controverfy. 
At this Day, America is in fl:ri6t Alliance with 
one of the iirfl: Nations of the Earth, for Mag- 
nanimity, Power and Wealth, and whofe Affairs 
are conducted by the ableft Statefmen, with a 
Prince at their Head, who hath juflly acquired 
the Title of the Protestor of the Rights of Man- 
kind. A refpecStable Fleet and Army of our Ally 
are already arrived amongfl us, and a confiderable 
Reinforcement is hourly expelled, which, when 
arrived, will give us a decided Superiority in thefe 
Seas — the Whole to cooperate with the Force 
of this Country againft the common Enemy. 
Another powerful Nation (Spain) though not 



IntroduElion. xxiii 

immediately allied with us, yet in fighting her 
own, fhe is daily fighting the Battles of America, 
from whence almoft every Advantage is derived 
to us that could be produced in a State of Alliance. 
An Army we now have in the Field, Part of 
whom are Veterans, equal to any the oldeft 
eftablifhed Nations can boaft. Our Militia, from 
a five Years War, are become enured to Arms. 
You have at the Head of your Army a General 
whofe Abilities as a Soldier and Worth as a 
Citizen ftand confefied, even by the Enemies of 
his Country. Our Officers of all Ranks are fully 
equal to the Duties of their refped:ive Stations. 
Military Stores are within our Reach. Our 
Money, tho' not as reputable as that of other 
Nations, with proper Attention, we have Reafon 
to exped:, will fliortly emerge from its prefent 
embarrafi^ed State, and become as ufeful as ever. 
Now, Sir, from a comparative View of our 
Circumftances at the Beginning, and at this Day, 
how much more eligible, how much more 
pleafing and important muft the latter appear 
than the former, to every difpaffionate Man ! 
Then fliall we leave to future Generations to 
fay, (hall we at Prefent commit ourfelves to the 
World to exclaim, that when Providence had 



xxiv IntroduBio7i. 

benignly put into our Hands the moft eflential 
Means of obtaining by one decifive Blow the 
ineftimable Prize we had been contending for, 
it was loft — difgracefully loft, for Want of 
proper Exertions on our Part ? That Avarice, 
Luxury and Diflipation had fo enervated the 
boafted Sons of American Freedom, that rather 
than forego their prefent Eafe, and wanton Plea- 
fures, they would tamely, cowardly fubmit to 
the Lofs of their Country, and their Liberty, 
and become thofe abjed; Slaves, which their 
generous Natures but a few Years before would 
have revolted at the very Idea. 

Thefe Reflexions arife, Sir, from the extraor- 
dinary Backwardnefs of fome States, and great 
Deficiences in others, in fending the Men into 
the Field that was required of them, near three 
Months ago, and ought to have joined the Army 
fifty Days paft, and an Apprehenfion, that from 
this Torpitude America has forgot flie is con- 
tending for Liberty and Independence, and that 
the good Intentions of our generous Ally will be 
totally fruftrated by our unpardonable Remilfnefs. 
Our former Letters to the States have been full on 
this very important Subje6t, and we are concerned 
to be driven to the Neceftity of Reiteration ; but 



IntroduBion, xxv 

our Duty to our Country, our Refpe6t for the 
Reputation of the Commander-in-Chief of our 
Army, impel us to it ; for a Knowledge of the 
Force that has been required of the States for 
the Campaign, and which was allowed to be 
adequate to an important Enterprize, will induce 
a Belief in our Countrymen, in the World, that 
it has been furnifhed, and they muft ftand amazed 
to fee our Army inactive, and Things not in that 
Train for Operation which ought, in fuch a 
Cafe, to be expedied, efpecially at this advanced 
Seafon of the Year. 

Again : The Force of our Ally, now with us, 
and the lliortly expeded Arrival of the Second 
Divifion, muft clearly evince the Utility of our 
Army's being put in a Condition to undertake 
an Enterprife which, if fuccefsful, muft give a 
deadly Wound to our unrelenting and ambitious 
Foe. But what Apology can be made if, when 
the Commander-in-Chief of our Army (hould 
be called on by the Commander of the Forces 
of our generous Ally, and informed he is ready 
to undertake with him whatever Meafures he 
(hall think proper to point out, he fliall be re- 
duced to the cruel Neceffity of acknowledging 
his Inability to engage in any Enterprize that 
D 



xxvi IntroduBion, 

can poffibly redound to the Honor or Reputation 
of the Arms of either Nation? Sir, the Reflec- 
tion is too humiliating to be dwelt on, without 
the extremeft Pain — nay. Horror! 

You muft pardon us, worthy Sir, for the 
Freedom with which we have now delivered 
our Sentiments on this truly interefting Subje6t. 
We flatter ourfelves great Allowances will be 
made for our Situation, when we daily have 
before our Eyes Specimens of that Want of 
Energy in conducting our Affairs, which muft 
fhortly fo far embarrafs us as to render all future 
Exertions inadequate to the Attainment of thofe 
great Purpofes at which we aim. America 
Wants not Refources. We have Men (inde- 
pendent of thofe necefl'ary for domefliic Purpofes) 
more than fufficient to compofe an Army capable 
of anfwering our moft fanguinary Expectations ; 
and our Country teems with Provifions of every 
Kind neceflary to fupport them. It requires 
Nothing more than a proper Degree of Energy 
to bring them forth, to make us a happy People. 
This we trufl:. Sir, the State over which you 
prelide will (hew us no Reluctance in contributing 
her Aid to, by taking fuch decifive Meafures as 
will, without Lofs of Time, bring into the Field 



IntroduElion, xxvii 

the Remainder of your Quota of Men that have 
been required for the Campaign. 

The Articles of Provifions, Forage and Teams, 
are no lefs important than Men; but as the 
Committee had the Honor of addreffing you a 
few Days ago on the Subjed of Provifions, and 
the other Articles being fo nearly allied with 
that, we will not intrude it on you at this Time. 

Inclofed is a Copy of a Letter from the 
Commander-in-Chief of the 17th Inftant to the 
Committee. It will fully fhew you the State of 
the Army at this Time, and how great a Defi- 
ciency of Men there is, to what there ought to 
have been before this Day. However we hope, 
Sir, it will be no Difcouragement to your State 
in referving their utmoft Exertions for furnifhing 
the Remainder of their Troops, to join the Army 
as foon as poffible, and that the Idea of its being 
probably too late, before a fufficient Force can 
be colleded to promife a fuccefsful Campaign 
will be totally baniflied ; for Policy as well as 
Intereft dictate to us, to be always prepared to 
take Advantage of every favourable Conjundture; 
and it is impoiTible to fay how foon fuch a one 
will prefent itfelf. 

The General's Letter treats this Subjed in 



xxviii IntroduBion. 

every other Refped: fo fully, as renders it unne- 
cefTary to add more, than, 

We have the Honor to be. 
With great Refped:, 

Your Excellency's moft obed't 
and humble Servant, 
In Behalf of the Committee, 
Jno. Mathews. 

The following Letter from General Arnold, 
then in Command of the important Poft at Weft 
Point, is inferted in this Connection, as having 
Relation to the Subject under our Notice. It 
prefents, fo far as our Information goes, a corre(5t 
Statement of the deftitute Condition of that 
Poft, at the Time ; a Subjed: doubtlefs of but 
little real Intereft to the Writer, whofe treafon- 
able Negotiations were then far advanced for the 
Surrender of his Truft to the Enemy. 



LETTER FROM GENERAL ARNOLD, AT WEST POINT, 
TO NATHANIEL STEVENS, DEPUTY COMMISSARY OF 
ISSUES. 

Head-Barters, Robin/on Houfe, ) 
Auguft 24th, 1780. J 

Dear Sir, 

The frefh Beef on Hand in Garrifon will be 
expended To-morrow, and I am this Day in- 



introduSlion. xxix 

formed that the Army at Head-Quarters have 

been two Days without, fo that we cannot hope 

to derive further SuppUes by Stoppages at King's 

Ferry ; nor do I know of any other Means of 

procuring it than by your Exertions. Should 

you have none near at Hand, it will be neceifary 

that you apply to Col. Hay, the State Agent for 

New York, or fome of the Deputies for a prefent 

Provilion. In Order to enfure Succefs, I think 

it moft expedient to advife you to apply to his 

Excellency Governor Clinton on the Subjed:, 

ftating to him our Neceffity, and requelling his 

Orders on fome of the Agents of the State, for 

a Supply of Cattle until the purchaling Commif- 

faries fend fome, that we may not be obliged to 

break in upon our fmall Stock of fait Provifions. 

With Sentiments of Efteem, 

I am, Dear Sir, 

Your ob't and very Humble Serv't, 

B. Arnold. 
Nath'l Stevens, Efq., 

D. C. Gen. IlTues. 

Mainly through the Energy and Exertions of 
General La Fayette, on his Vilit to France in 
1779, the French Court was induced to fend a 



XXX IntroduSiion. 

refpecflable Land and Naval Force to cooperate 
with the Americans in their War againft the 
EngUfh, then the common Enemy of both. The 
Army was placed under the Command of Count 
Rochambeau, a Lieutenant General of the French 
Army, and the Fleet under the Chevalier de 
Ternay. 

The Firft Diviiion of the French Forces which 
arrived at Newport July loth, confifted of about 
five thoufand Land Troops and one thoufand 
Marines. The Troops were landed and encamped 
foutheaft of the Town. Soon after their Arrival, 
the Britifh Fleet under Admiral Graves appeared 
before Newport with a fuperior Force, and active 
Preparations were made in New York to forward 
from thence a Land Force fufficient to enfure 
Succefs before the Second Divifion of the French 
Forces could arrive. 

This Movement of the Britiili Army was 
checked by an Appearance of an aggreffive Ad- 
vance of the Army under General Wafliington 
towards New York, then the principal Bafe of 
Operations of the Enemy.* 

* The Attack on a Block Houfe at Bull's Ferry, oppofite the upper 
Part of Manhattan Ifland by General Wayne, although of itfelf unfuc- 
cefsful, is believed to have tended to check the Departure of the Britifh 



IntroduEiion, xxxi 

Such was the State of public Affairs at the 
Period when the Convention, noticed in the fol- 
lowing Pages, was called. The Emergencies of 
the Hour demanded energetic Meafures, and 
greater Sacrifices for the public Good. The 
Country already felt the Exhauftion of a long 
and diftreffing War; but a fettled Confidence 
in the Juftice of their Caufe, and its ultimate 
Triumph, incited the Patriots of that Day to 
new Efforts for the Achievement of their Pur- 
pofe. 

Copies of the Proceedings of this Convention 
were tranfmitted to the Governors of the feveral 
States, with a Requeft that they fhould be laid 
before their Legiflatures, and an earneft Hope 
that Adion would be taken favorable to the 
Meafures propofed. The Action of the State of 
New York in this Regard will be found in the 
Appendix ; and the Recommendations of the 
Convention appear to have been received with 
Approbation. In a Letter to General Wafhing- 

Forccs intended for this Expedition, and thus indiredlly to have proved 
a brilliant Succefs. The Repulfe of General Wayne from the Block 
Houfe became the Theme of a fatirical Poem, written by Major Andre, 
entitled 'The Cow Chace. The tragic Fate of this young Officer, and 
the prophetic foreboding of his own Fate, contained in the clofing Stanza, 
have given unufual Intereft to this Poem. 



xxxii IntroduEiion. 

ton, dated September ift, 1780, Governor Clinton 
fays : 

" I take the Liberty of enclofing (confidentially) 
for your Excellency's Perufal, a Copy of the Pro- 
ceedings of a Convention of Committees from 
the States of Maffachufetts Bay, Connecticut and 
New Hampfhire, in which I am happy to find, 
even at this late Hour, Sentiments which, gene- 
rally adopted, cannot fail of producing much 
Good. I believe I may venture to afTure you. 
Sir, that as the moft fenfible among us have from 
the Beginning of the Conteft forefeen the Con- 
fequences of temporary Expedients, they will 
meet the cheerful Approbation of this State." 

General Wafhington, in Reply, expreffed his 
Satisfaction at the Information given, and in a 
Letter, addrelTed to James Bowdoin, Prefident 
of the Council of MaiTachufetts, dated Auguft 
28th, he fays in Allufion to this Subject : 

* * * " I am informed of a Set of Refolu- 
tions lately entered into by a Convention of 
Delegates from the four Eaftern States, which, 
if rightly reprefented to me, and fhould they be 
carried into Execution, will be the moil: likely 
Means that could be adopted to refcue our 
Affairs from the complicated and dreadful Em- 



IntroduSiion. 



XXXIU 



barraiTments under which they labor, and will 
do infinite Honor to thofe with whom they ori- 
ginate. I fincerely wifh they may meet with no 
Oppofition or Delay in their Progrefs. Our 
Situation is truly delicate, and demands all our 
Wifdom, all our Virtue, all our Energy." 




E 



PROCEEDINGS 



C<»nt>cttti0n at flo^tun, 



August, 1780. 



AT a Meeting of the Committees appointed 
by the States of Maflachufetts Bay, Con- 
ne6ticut and New Hampfhire, convened 
at Bofton, on Thurfday the third day of Au- 
guft, in the Year of our Lord one thoufand 
feven hundred and eighty, 
Prefent — 
The Hon^i^ Thomas Cufliing, Efq"", Nathaniel 
Gorham, Efq"", John Lowell, Efq*-, from the 
State of MafTachufetts Bay. 
The Honb^'^ JelTe Root, Efq'", from the State of 

Connecticut. 
The Hon^ie John Langdon, Efq'", from the State 
of New Hampfhire. 
The State of Rhode Ifland were notified of 



36 Proceedings of a 

the Convention, approved the Meafure, and ap- 
pointed a Commiffioner, but by fome Means he 
was prevented from attending.* 

The Commiffioners prefent produced their 
feveral Appointments and Powers, which are as 
follows : 

State of Massachusetts Bay, 
Council Chamber, July 24th, 1780. 

Ordered, That the Hon^^^ Thomas Cufhing, 
Efquire, Nathaniel Gorham, Efq"", and John Lo- 
well, Efq'', be, and hereby are appointed to meet 
and confer with fuch Commiffioners as the States 
of Connecticut, Rhode Illand and Providence 
Plantations, and New Hampfhire, or either of 
them have, or may appoint to confult and advife 
on all fuch Bufinefs and Affairs as (hall be brought 
under Confideration, relative to the War, and to 
promote and forward the moft vigorous Exertions 
of the prefent Campaign, and to cultivate a good 
Underflanding and procure a generous Treatment 
of the Officers and Men of our great and gener- 
ous Ally, and make Report thereof accordingly. 
True Copy. 

Atteft John Avery, D. Sec'y. 

* The Commiffioner appointed by Rhode Ifland was the Hon. Richa-mi- ' V.vx , jv 'OH] 
Bradford. See Apyjcndix. 



Convention at Bojlon. 37 

State of Connecticut. 

[L. S.] BY THE GOVERNOR. 

To Eliphalet Dyer, Efq''. 

You being appointed by the Governor and 
Council of Safety to meet with Commiffioner or 
Commiffioners, who are or may be appointed 
and impowered by the States of New Hampfliire, 
MafTachufetts Bay, and Rhode Ifland and Provi- 
dence Plantations, or either of them, to confult 
and advife on the Bufmefs and Affairs neceffary 
to promote and forward the mofl vigorous Exer- 
tions in the prefent Campaign, wherein thefe, 
with others of the United States, are called upon 
by the Committee of Congrefs by their Letter of 
the 2d of June laft, for fpecific Aid of Men, 
Provifions, Forage, and the Means of Tranf- 
portation ; and alfo, wherein his moft Chriftian 
Majefty, the Illuffrious Ally of the United States 
of America, hath undertaken to furnifh and 
affift them with Marine and Land Forces lately 
arrived at Newport, that there fliould be no 
Failure on our Part, nor any Abufe or Difap- 
pointment of the Expectations and benevolent 
and good Intentions of our foreign Helpers, and 
that other Affairs relative to the War, brought 



38 Proceedings of a 

under Conlideration agreeable to their or your 
Inftrudlions, may be fettled and agreed upon, 

Therefore, you are hereby fully inftrudied, 
authorized and empowered, to proceed to Bofton, 
in the State of Malfachufetts Bay, with all con- 
venient Speed ; there to meet with fuch Com- 
miffioners of faid States as fhall be appointed 
and authorized to confult and advife on all fuch 
Bufinefs and Affairs as fhall be brought under 
Confideration relative to the War, and to promote 
and forward the moft vigorous Exertions of the 
prefent Campaign, and to cultivate a good Un- 
derftanding, and procure a generous Treatment 
of the Officers and Men of our great and gener- 
ous Ally, and make Report thereof accordingly. 

Given under my Hand and Seal at Arms, this 
17th Day of July, 1780. 

JoN"^" Trumbull. 



State of Connecticut. 

|L.S.] BY THE GOVERNOR. 

To JelTe Root, Efq'-. 

You being appointed by the Governor and 
Council of Safety to meet with Commiffioners 
from the State of Malfachufetts, Rhode Illand, 



Convention at Bojion. 39 

and Providence Plantations, and New Hampfhire, 
in the Room of Eliphalet Dyer, Efq"" : 

You are hereby authorized and impowered to 
proceed to Bofton with the fame Powers, Au- 
thorities and Inftrud:ions given him the faid Dyer, 
by his annexed Commiffion and Inftructions, 
dated the 17th Inftant, and to make Report. 

Given under my Hand and Seal at Arms, at 
Lebanon, the 29th July, 1780. 

JoN^" Trumbull. 



State of New Hampshire, 
In Committee of Safety, July 29, 1780. 

Refohed, That the Hon^^^ John Langdon, 
Efq^ be, and hereby is appointed a Delegate for 
and on behalf of this State, to proceed to Bofton 
to join with fuch Delegates as are or may be 
appointed by the States of MaiTachufetts Bay, 
Connecticut, and Rhode Illand, to meet at Bofton 
on the 2d of Auguft: next, to confult and advife 
in all fuch Bufinefs and Affairs as fhall be brought 
under Conlideration relative to the War, and to 
promote and forward the moft vigorous Exertions 
of the prefent Campaign, and to cultivate good 
Underftanding and procure a generous Treatment 



40 Proceedings of a 

of the Officers and Men of our great and gener- 
ous Ally, or on any other Matters that may be 
thought advifable for the Public Good, and to 
report the Proceedings of faid Delegates to 
this Committee, or the General AlTembly of this 
State. 

In behalf of the Com^^^, 

M. Weare, Prefd. 
John Langdon, Efquire. 

After Communication of the Powers as above, 
the Convention made choice of the Hon*^^^ 
Thomas Cufhing, Efq"*, for their Prelident, and 
Henry Alline as Clerk. 

And they proceeded to confult and advife upon 
the Means neceffary to be imployed by the 
States they reprefent, to comply with the Requi- 
fitions of Congrefs, and of their Committee of 
Cooperation at Head-Quarters, and to carry on 
and render effedlual the Operations of the prefent 
Campaign ; and having adjourned from Day to 
Day until the ninth Day of Auguft Inftant, agreed 
and refolved to recommend to their refpediive 
States the following Meafures : 

I ft. That notwithftanding thefe States have 
ordered the Number of Men required of them. 



Convention at Bojion. 41 

and made great Exertions to raife them, and the 
greater Part are already gone on to the Army, 
yet as the intended Operations of the prefent 
Campaign will not admit of any Diminution of 
the Force required, it is earneftly recommended 
to the feveral States reprefented in this Conven- 
tion, to caufe their Complement of Men to be 
immediately completed ; 

2dly. That in Order to preferve Uniformity in 
the Purchafes in the different States aforefaid, and 
to prevent Irregularity and Difappointment in 
procuring and forwarding the Supplies to the 
Army ; 

Refohedj That it be recommended to the Su- 
preme Executive of each State, to diredl the 
Perfons at the Head of the purchaling Depart- 
ment in them refpedtively, to correfpond with 
each other, and as often as once every Month, to 
inform each other of the Purchafes they have 
made, what they have fent on, and what they 
will be able to furnifh in the Run of a Month, 
with the average Price they give.* 

* The Advancement of Prices, on Account of the Depreciation of the 
Paper Currency, iflued by Order of Congrefs and the feveral States, 
had at this Period become a moft ferious Difficuhy in the Profecution of 
the War. Towards the End of February, 1780, the New York Legif- 



42 



Proceedings of a 



3dly. Refohedy That it be recommended to 
the feveral States aforefaid, as a Meafure necelTary, 

lature, in a Law entitled, " An Aft for the General Limitation of Prices, 
and to prevent engroffing and withholding within this State," fixed the 
legal Prices of many of the more important Commodities, as follows : 



Good merchantable Wheat, - 


20 


Dollars 


per Bufliel. 


Peas and White Beans, 


20 


" 




Rye, 


• 13 


(( 




Good merchantable Indian Corn, 


1 1 


C( 


^ " 


" " Buckwheat, 


- 8 


<( 




" " Oats, - 


7 


(t 




Pork, well fatted, - - - - 


- 89 


Dollars 


per hundred Weight. 


Bert Grafs fed Beef, 


6 


Shilling 


s per Pound. 


Beft Stall fed Beef, in January, 


7 


(( 




** ** February, - 


8 


(( 




" " March, 


■ 9 


(C 




" " April, 


10 


(( 




" " May, - 


- 1 1 


(( 




June, 


12 


(t 





Good Butter by the Firkin or Cafk, 18 Shillings per Pound. 

" " by the fmall Quantity, 21 " " 

American Cheefe, of the beft Quality, 12" *' 

Rendered Tallow, . - _ 

" Hog's Lard, 

Ram Hides, . - _ - 

Good tanned Sole-Leather, 
Beft Sort of Men's Shoes made from 

Neat's Leather, . _ _ 
Men's Calf Skin Shoes, of beft Quality, 28 

The Lift embraced many other Articles in common Ufe, Wages 
were not to exceed twenty Fold the Rates of 1774. Teaming was 
limited to a Charge of fix Dollars per Mile, for every 2,000 Pounds 
Weight. 



16 " 
12 " 

4 Dollars *' 

25 Dollars per Pair, 



Convention at Bojlon. 4.3 

that they tranfport their Quota of the SuppUes 
required to the Army, or wherever the Com- 
mander-in-Chief, or other proper Officer, fhall 
diredt, for the prefent, and until other Means of 
Conveyance are provided, and charge the fame 
to the United States, and to give information 
thereof to the Commander-in-Chief, and the 
Committee of Cooperation. 

4th. Refolved, That it be recommended to the 
feveral States, to impower the chief Officer of the 
American Troops ferving with the AlHed Army, 
to take prudent Meafures to prevent any Impoli- 
tion or Frauds being prad:iced by People bringing 
Provilions to Market and the Army, by extorting 
exorbitant Prices, or otherways, and to iflue fuch 
Orders from Time to Time as may have a Ten- 
dency to induce People to bring plentifully to 
Market, and to fell at reafonable Prices. 

5th. Refohed, That it be recommended to the 
feveral States that have Ad:s laying an Embargo 
on the Tranfportation of Articles by Land from 
one State to another, to repeal them as being 
unnecelTary, and tending rather to injure than 
ferve the Common Caufe we are engaged to 
fupport and maintain ; to continue Embargos 
on Provifions by Water, and that particular Care 



^^ Proceedings of a 

be taken to prevent all illicit Trade with the 
Enemy.* 

6th. It is confidered to be of great Importance 
that the old Continental Bills fhould be funk, 
agreeable to the Refolution of Congrefs,f in Order 
to fupport the public Credit, and that all the 
States fliould adopt effectual Meafures for that 
Purpofe. 

Therefore, Refohed, To recommend to our 

* At this Period feveral of the States, under the Pretext of Rifk of 
Cpature by the Enemy, or to fupply the domeftic Wants of their own In- 
habitants, had pafled Laws forbidding the Exportation of Wheat and other 
ftaple Articles of Food from their Borders. The Meafure was in fome Cafes 
deemed arbitrary and opprefFive ; but fo far as the Prohibition extended 
to Tranfportation by Water, it was manifellly proper. Perfons engaged 
in illicit Traffic with the Enemy often reforted to the Artifice of pretended 
Capture and mock Refiftance, in transferring their Commodities to or 
from the Enemy's Lines. Thefe Scenes were of conitant Occurrence 
between the Parties known as " Skinners" and " Cowboys," who infefled 
the Settlements on the lower Hudfon. Although oftenfibly Partizans of 
one or the other of the Belligerents, they deferved the Confidence of 
neither, and juftly deferved the Appellation of "Border Ruffians." 

The New Jerfey Law, then in Force, prohibiting the Exportation of 
Provifions from that State, was pafled Odober 7, 1779. 

It laid a ftrifl Embargo upon the Exportation of Provifions excepting 
into New York, Pennfylvania and Delaware, and had for its profefled 
Objedls to fupply the Wants of the Army, and to diftrefs the Enemy by 
withholding the Supplies they might otherwife obtain by the Capture of 
Veflels laden with Provifions. 

f See Appendix, for a Statement of the Adlion of Congrcfs upon this 
Subjeft, 



Convention at Bojlon. 4.5 

refpedlive States, to fink the Quota of faid Bills 
afligned them, by Taxation as far as poffible ; and 
in Cafe the Whole cannot be funk within the 
Time Hmited by that Means, that the States em- 
ploy fuch other effectual Meafures for the Purpofe 
as fliall be moft agreeable to them.* 

* The Continental Bills of Credit, which had been iilucd early in the 
Revolution, began to depreciate loon after they appeared. The Scale of 
Value varied fomewhat in the feveral States, and was fixed by Law, as 
a Bafis for the Payment of Debts contrafted at different Periods. In 
New York, a Law palTed March 30, 1781, fpecified the Values from 
the ift of Sept., 1777, to the middle of March, 1780, at Intervals of 
two Weeks. The following Table exhibits thefe Values, as compared 
with the monthly Values as eftablifhed in MafTachufetts by a fimilar 
Law, pafTed Sept. 29, 1780. The par Value in each Cafe was Gold 
and Silver. We have added a Column, fhowing the Percentage of this 
Value which the Bills equalled, as fpecified by the Laws of New York. 

Date. Mafs. N. Y. Per Cent in 

N. Y. 

January I, 1777, - - - $105 

February i, " - . . 107 



March i, " - - - - 109 

April I , " - - - - 1 1 2 

May I, " - - - - 115 

June I, " - - - - 120 

July I, «... - 125 

Auguft 1, " - - - - 150 

September I," - - - - 175 $100 100. o 

"15," - . . 104 96.1 

Oaober I, " - - - - 275 109 91.7 

15, " ... 115 86.9 

November 1," - - - - 300 izi 82.6 



^6 Proceedings of a 

That each State immediately inform Congrefs 
of the Meafures they have taken, which were 



Date. 



November 15, 


^in> 


December i, 


cc 


" 15. 


<( 


January 1, 


^11'^, 


" 15, 


t( 


February 1 , 


l( 


" 15, 


(( 


March 1, 


(( 


" 15, 


11 


April I, 


<( 


" 15, 


(C 


May 1, 


(( 


" 15. 


(( 


June I, 


« 


" 15, 


(C 


July 1, 


€( 


" i5» 


H 


Auguft I, 


(< 


" i5> 


(( 


September 1 , 


(f 


" 15, 


(< 


Oaober i. 


<( 


" 15, 


(C 


November i. 


u 


15. 


It 


December i. 


f( 


15. 


(( 


January 1, 


1779, 



15. 



Mafs. 


N. Y. 


Per Cent in 

N. Y. , 




$127 


78.7 


I310 


133 


75.2 


— 


139 


Ti- 


9 


325 


146 


es 


4 




152 


67 


I 


350 


160 


62 


4 




167 


59 


9 


375 


175 


57 


I 




186 


33 


7 


400 


203 


48 


3 




ZI4 


46 


• 7 


400 


230 


43 


4 




245 


40 


8 


400 


265 


37 


7 




281 


35 


6 


425 


303 


33 







332 


30 


1 


450 


348 


28 


■7 




370 


27 


.0 


475 


400 


25 


.0 




429 


23 


•3 


500 


464 


21 


.6 




500 


20 


.0 


545 


545 


18 


•3 




584 


17 


. 1 


634 


634 


15 


•7 




679 


14 


•7 


742 


742 


13 


•4 




796 


12 


•5 



Convention at Bojlon. ^j 

adopted in full Confidence and Expedtation of 
the other States complying with the Refolution 



Date. 



Mafs. 



N. Y. 



February i. 


1779, 


" 15, 




March I, 




" '^' 




April I , 




" i5> 




May I, 




" 15, 




June I, 




" 15, 




July 1, 




" 15, 




Auguft I, 




" 15, 




September i. 




" 15, 




Odober i. 




" 15, 




November 1 , 




" 15, 




December i. 




" 15, 




January i, i 


780, 


" 15, 




February i , 




" 15, 




March i. 




" 15, 




April I, 





1,000 

1,104 
1,215 

^342 

1,477 
1,630 
1,800 
2,030 



2,308 



2,593 



2,934 



3,322 



3,736 



4,000 



932 
1,000 
1,048 
1,104 
1,156 
1,219 
1,272 

1,344 
1,404 

1,486 

1,548 

1,631 
1,709 
1,800 
1,908 
2,032 
2,151 

2,340 

2,433 

2,597 
2,741 

2,932 
3,115 
3,333 
3,532 
3,732 
4,000 



Per Cent in 
N. Y. 

II. 4 

10.7 
10. 

9-5 
9.0 
8.7 



(>-7 
6.4 

6.1 

5.8 

5-5 

5-2 

4-9 
4.6 

4-3 

4-1 

3-8 

3 

3 

3 

3 

2 

2. 

2. 



4-8 Proceedings of a 

of Congrefs, which will be rendered extenfively 
beneficial, only by the Cooperation of all, and 
may be totally defeated by the Failure of any. 

7th. Refohedy To recommend to each of thefe 
States, as a necefi^ary Means to fupport the Credit 
of the new Bills, immediately to eftablifh Funds 
for finking, annually, at leafi: one-fixth Part of 
the Bills they fliall emit, purfuant to the Refolu- 
tion of Congrefs ; and that the Tax for raifing a 
Fund for the firfh Year be paid in Silver and 
Gold, or the Produce of the Country ; the other 
five Years to be paid in Silver and Gold, or the 
fpecific Bills, not to be reiffued ; that the Credit 
of the Paper Bills muft reft upon the Funds 
provided for their Redemption ; as in our Opinion 
every Attempt to fupport their Credit by forcing 
them into Circulation tends to defeat the Purpofe, 
and to depreciate them. 

8. Refohedy To recommend to the States afore- 
faid, not to emit any more Bills on their own 
particular Credit, and in no Cafe to have in Cir- 
culation at any one Time, of both State and new 
Continental Bills, more than the Quantity afligned 
them by the Refolution of Congrefs. 

9. Refohedy That it be recommended to the 
States aforefaid, that whenever any Soldier or 



Convention at Bojlon. 4.9 

Seaman belonging to any of the faid States, palT- 
ing through another State, fhall fall lick and be 
in Want (where he cannot be conveniently fent 
to a public Hofpital), the Selectmen and Over- 
feers of the Poor of the Town in which he fhall 
fo fall lick, and Ihall take Care to Provide for 
him neceflary Phylick and nurling at the Expenfe 
of the State to which he belongs, keeping a par- 
ticular Account of the Expenfes, and have the 
fame fubfcribed by faid Soldier or Seaman, with 
a Certificate of the State, Town, Regiment and 
Company, or VelTel, to which he belongs, when- 
ever it can be done ; which Account fhall be 
adjufled and paid in the firft Instance by the State 
in which he fell fick, and be reimburfed by the 
State to which he belongs. 

loth. Refohedj That it be recommended to 
the States aforefaid, to ufe proper Caution, to 
prevent any improper Articles of Intelligence 
being communicated to the Enemy through the 
Channel of Newfpapers or otherways, to the 
Prejudice of public Meafures. 

II. Refohed, That it be recommended to the 

States aforefaid, that whenever any Levies of Men 

are called for from faid States, the Men procured 

or hired by one State or their Subjed:s from 

G 



^o Proceedings of a 

another, without the Licenfe of the State to which 
the Man belongs, iliall be counted to the Quota 
of the State to which he belongs, in like Manner 
as Soldiers raifed for the Continental Army. 

1 2th. Although in the Opinion of this Con- 
vention, no Exertions ought to be fpared on the 
Part of thefe States to facilitate and carry into 
Execution the Meafures adopted for the prefent 
Campaign, yet they conceive it to be eflential to 
our final Safety, to the Eftablifhment of public 
Credit, and to put a fpeedy and happy Iffue to 
the prefent calamitous War, that the Union of 
thefe States be fixed in a more folid and perma- 
nent Manner, that the Powers of Congrefs be 
more clearly afcertained and defined, and that the 
important national Concerns of the United States 
be under the Superintendency and Direction of 
one fupreme Head ; that the proper Eftimates of 
our public Wants be feafonably made, and the 
neceflary Refources provided, and regularly and 
economically drawn forth and expended. 

To that End, 

Refolved, That it be recommended to the States 
aforefaid, to impower their Delegates in Congrefs 
to confederate with fuch of the States as will 
accede to the Confederation propofed by Con- 



Convention at Bojion. 51 

grefs,* and that they inveft their Delegates in 
Congrefs with Powers competent for the Govern- 
ment and Direction of all thofe common and 
national Affairs which do not, nor can come 
within the Jurifdidion of the particular States ; 
and that the States aforefaid reprefent to Congrefs 
the Importance and Neceffity of their fo doing ; 
that they form a permanent Syftem, eflablifliing 
proper Boards, Officers and Regulations for the 
Direction of the feveral Departments necelTary 
to be executed under Congrefs, to the End that 
proper Eftimates of the public Wants may be 
feafonably made, and fufficient Funds of Money 
provided for anfwering the fame from the States, 
or by foreign Loans procured on the Credit of the 
United States ; that the Refources of the Nation 
may be regularly drawn forth and economically 
expended, and that the States be feafonably called 
upon for Supplies of Men and Money, for filling 
the public Magazines, and the Eftablifhment of 
an Army during the War. 

13th. Refohed, That it be recommended to the 

* The Articles of Confederation then pending for Adoption, were 
recommended by Congrefs July 9, 1778, and officially announced as 
adopted in March, 1781. Congrefs met under this Authority on the 
2d of March of that Year. The laft State acceding to the Arrangement 
was Maryland 



52 Proceedings of a Convention, 

States aforefaid, to requeft of Congrefs, in Order 
to prevent fuch EmbarraiTments and Expence as 
the States have labored under in furnifliing Sup- 
plies for the prefent Campaign, happening again, 
that effectual Means be immediately employed to 
fill the public Magazines, and to raife Men to fill 
the Continental Battalions for the War by the 
1 8th of January next, — And it is further recom- 
mended, that in Cafe the War continues, and 
Congrefs fhould not take Meafures for the Pur- 
pofe, and notify the States aforefaid by the firft 
of November next, that the faid States do at all 
Events furnifh their Quota of Men and Provifions, 
and charge the fame to the United States, and to 
procure Uniformity in the Meafures that may be 
neceffary to be taken by thefe States in common 
with each other ; this Convention recommend a 
Meeting of Commiffioners from the feveral States, 
to be held at Hartford on the 2d Wednefday of 
November next, and invite the State of New York 
and others to join them that fhall think proper. 

Refohedy That the Proceedings of this Con- 
vention be fent to the States of Rhode Ifland and 
New York, with a Letter from the Prefident, 
defiring their Concurrence in the Meafures agreed 
upon, if they approve thereof. 

Thomas Cushing, Prefident. 




fiasi/iii* 



APPENDIX. 



RHODE ISLAND. 



I 



ATT^HE following Correfpondence and Pro- 
ceedings, from Vol. IX, of the Rhode 
IJland Colonial Records, {how the Part 

taken by that State in the Convention at Bofton 

in Auguft, 1780. 



LETTER FROM GOVERNOR TRUMBULL OF CONNECTI- 
CUT TO THE GOVERNOR OF RHODE ISLAND. 

Lebanon^ 14th July, 1780. 

Sir, 

The late Arrangement of our public Affairs, 
the difconcerted State of the Commiffary Depart- 
ment, the large Demands upon the New England 
States for Supplies for the Army, and the regular 
Manner in which thefe Supplies ought to be fur- 
niflied, efpecially of frefh Provifions, fo as to 
prevent a Want at one Time, or a Surplus at 



54 Appendix. 

another, the large Demands for the Army and 
Navy of our Ally, which are now arrived, to be 
fupplied by thefe States, as fuch as alfo the Mar- 
ket, which, by their Arrival, will be opened for 
a Variety of Articles to be fupplied by Individuals ; 
not only to prevent a Difappointment of their 
Exped:ations in their Supplies, but of their being 
impofed and extorted upon by extravagant Prices 
by Individuals, which may greatly endanger a 
Difaffedtion, and many other Matters of general 
Concern in this important Conjundiure of our 
Affairs — calls for a Union of Councils and Mea- 
fures. 

To effedl which, with the greateft Expedition, 
we have thought it necelTary to fend one of 
our Board to meet fuch Gentlemen as may be 
appointed from the States of Rhode Ifland, Maf- 
fachufetts and New Hampfliire, or fuch of them 
as fliall concur in the Meafure, at Bofton, as early 
next Week as poffible, to confer on thefe and 
other important Subjects peculiarly necelTary at 
this Day ; to agree upon and adopt fuch limilar 
Meafures as may be moft conducive to the general 
Intereft. 

We have forwarded this Intimation by an Ex- 
prefs to the Council of War, at Providence ; and 
if agreeable to them, it is requefted they would 
unite in their requeft with ours, to the Council 
of War at Bofton, by them immediately to be 
communicated to the Prelident and Council in 
New Hampfhire, for the Purpofe that fuch Con- 
vention may be held at Bofton with all poffible 



Appendix. ^^ 

Expedition. The Reafons for this Propofal are 
fo obvious, the Matters fo preffing, that we ap- 
prehend no Apology need be made for this 
AppUcation. 

I am, with Efteem and Regard, Sir, 

Your obedient, humble Servant, 

Jon'th Trumbull. 
To his Excellency 

Governor Greene. 



LETTER FROM THE GOVERNOR OF RHODE ISLAND TO 
GOVERNOR TRUMBULL OF CONNECTICUT. 

Newport^ July 19, 1780. 
Sir, 

I was, on the 17th Inftant, favored with yours 
of the 14th, and I have laid the fame before the 
General AlTembly at the prefent SeiTion. 

They are fully imprelled with the Neceffity 
and Propriety of the Meafure propofed, and have 
requeued me to inform you that they will appoint 
a Committee to attend at Bofton, for the Purpofe 
mentioned in your Letter on Wednefday, the 26th 
Day of July Inftant. I fhall immediately com- 
municate this Refolution to the Prefident of the 
Council of Maftachufetts Bay, 

The General Aifembly being fincerely defirous 
of accommodating the Officers of the Army and 
Navy of his moft Chriftian Majefty, now at this 
Place, and of furniftiing them with the necelTary 



5 6 Appendix. 

Supplies, have pafled a Refolution, a Copy whereof 
at their Requefl I now enclofe you. I muft 
requeft your Attention to this Refolution, and 
that you would be pleafed to grant Permiflion for 
the Purpofe therein mentioned, as it will be 
otherwife impradticable to procure the neceffary 
Supply of Flour. 

I am, with Efteem and Regard, Sir, 

Your obedient, humble Servant, 

William Greene. 
To his Excellency 

Governor Trumbull. 



LETTER FROM THE GOVERNOR OF RHODE ISLAND TO 
THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL OF MASSACHU- 
SETTS. 

Newport, Juty 20, 1780. 
Sir, 

A Letter of the 14th Inftant from Governor 
Trumbull, propofing a Committee from each of 
the New England States, to convene at Bofton, 
to confer on very important Meafures therein 
propofed, I laid before the General AlTembly of 
this State, which unanimoufly concurred with the 
Propofal ; and have requefted me to write you, 
recommending the Concurrence of your State 
with the fame ; and if agreeable, to requeft you 
to write to the Prefident and Council of New 
Hampfliire on this necelTary Meafure. 



Appendix. 57 

It is propofed to convene at Bofton, on Wednef- 
day, the 26th Day of July inftant. 
I am, with Efteem and Regard, Sir, 

Your obedient Servant, 

William Greene. 
To the honorable Prefident of the 
Council of MaiTachufetts Bay. 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR THE 
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANT- 
ATIONS, AT NEWPORT, 

On the third Monday in July, 1780. 

His Excellency William Greene, Governor. 
The Hon. William Weft, Deputy Governor. 

* * * " It is voted and refolved, that Metcalf 
Bowler, Thomas Rumreill and Jofeph Stanton, 
Jr., Efqs., be, and they are hereby appointed a 
Committee to draught an Anfwer to a Letter 
from Governor Trumbull, requefting the Ap- 
pointment of a Perfon to meet the Deputies from 
the New England States, at Bofton, for the Pur- 
pofes in the faid Letter mentioned ; and that the 
faid Committee alfo draught a Letter to the 
Prefident of the Council of the Commonwealth 
of MaiTachufetts, requefting them to concur in 
the Meafures propofed." 

:!-. :>, -^ « Whereas, his Excellency, Governor 
Trumbull, hath informed this Alfembly that a 
H 



58 Appendix. 

Commiffioner is appointed by the State of Con- 
necticut, to meet Commiffioners from the other 
States in New England, in a Convention, to be 
holden at Bofton for the Purpofe of agreeing upon 
the Mode of furnilhing the necelTary Supplies 
from the faid States for the prefent Campaign, 
and upon fuch other Meafures as may tend to 
promote the Succefs of the allied Armies, and 
requefted this State to appoint a Commiffioner 
for the aforefaid Purpofes ; and this AlTembly 
being convinced that the Meafures propofed w^ill 
be eflentially beneficial to the United States, — 

" Do vote and refolve, and it is voted and 
refolved, that the Honorable William Bradford, 
Efq., be, and he is hereby appointed a Commif- 
fioner on the Part of this State, to meet the 
Commiffioners from the other States in New 
England, in the faid Convention ; that he be, 
and hereby is, empowered to agree to fuch Mea- 
fures as the faid Convention, or the major Part 
thereof, fliall judge necelTary to be adopted by 
the faid States in New England, in the prefent 
important Crifis of the public Affairs ; and that 
he make Report of the Refolutions of the faid 
Convention to this Affembly for Ratification." 



Appendix. 59 



ADDRESS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF RHODE 
ISLAND TO GENERAL ROCHAMBEAU. 

The Reprefentatives of the State of Rhode 
Illand and Providence Plantations, in General 
AlTembly convened, with the moft pleafing 
Satisfaction, take the earlieft Opportunity of 
congratulating Compte De Rochambeau, Lieu- 
tenant-General of the Army of His Moft Chriftian 
Majefty, upon his fafe Arrival within the United 
States. Upon this Occafion, we cannot be too 
expreffive of the grateful Senfe we entertain of 
the generous and magnanimous Aid afforded 
to the United States by their illuftrious Friend 
and Ally. Sufficient had been the Proofs of his 
Zeal and Friendship ; the prefent Inftance muft 
conftrain even envious, difcontented Britons to 
venerate the Wifdom of his Councils, and the 
Sincerity of his noble Mind. We look forward 
with a moft pleafing Expectation to the End of 
a Campaign, in which the allied Force of France 
and thefe United States, under the Smiles of 
Divine Providence, may be productive of Peace 
and Happinefs to the contending Powers, and 
Mankind in general. We aifure you. Sir, our 
Expectations are enlarged, when we confider the 
Wifdom of His Moft Chriftian Majefty in your 
Appointment, as the Commander of his Army 
deftined to our Afiiftance. Be afiiired. Sir, of 
every Exertion in the Power of this State to 
afford the neceffary Refrefliments to the Army 



6o Appendix. 

under your Command, and to render the Service 
to all Ranks as agreeable and happy as it is hon- 
orable. 

We are, in Behalf of the General AlTembly, 
The General's mofl obedient and 

Moft devoted, humble Servants, 
William Greene, 
William Bradford. 
To Lieutenant General 

Compte De Rochambeau. 



REPLY OF GENERAL ROCHAMBEAU TO THE ADDRESS 
OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF RHODE ISLAND. 

Gentlemen : — The King, my Mafter, hath fent 
me to the Affiftance of his good and faithful 
Allies, the United States of America. At prefent, 
I only bring over the Van-guard of a much 
greater Force, deftined for their Aid ; and the 
King has ordered me to alTure them, that his 
whole power fliall be exerted for their Support. 

The French Troops are under the flridleft Dif- 
cipline ; and, acting under the Orders of General 
Wafliington, will live with the Americans as their 
Brethren ; and Nothing will afford me greater 
Happinefs than Contributing to their Succefs. 

I am highly fenfible of the Marks of Refpe6l 
fhown me by the General AlTembly, and beg 
leave to alTure them that, as Brethren, not only 
my Life, but the Lives of the Troops under my 
Command, are entirely devoted to their Service. 

(Signed) The Count De Rochambeau. 



j4ppe?tdix. 



6i 



The following is a perfe6t Lift of the French 
Fleet under the Chevalier De Ternay, now at 
Rhode Illand : 

The French Fleet at Rhode Ijland. 



Ships' Names. Guns. Men. 

Le Due De Bourgogne, 84 1,200 

Le Neptune, - - - 74 700 

Le Conquerant, - - 74 700 

L'Eveille, - - - 64 600 

Le Province, - - 64 600 

Ardent (olim Britifh), - 64 600 

Le Jafon, - - - 64 600 

La Fantafque, ferving as a 
Hofpital Ship. 



Commanders. 
Admiral De Ternay. 
Deftouches. 

De Tribiand. 

C. B. De Mefigny. 



La Surveillante, 
L'Andromaque, - 
La Sibelle, _ _ _ 
La Hermoine, - 
Pelican, American Veflel, 



FRIGATES. 

300 

250 

250 



40 

36 
36 
36 

29 



250 
160 



ARMED SHIPS. 



Le Bruen, - 
La Complafe, 



De Caillet. 
De Ronevel. 
Bar De Clugney. 
De la Touche. 



Des Arros. 
De Noulds. 



The land Forces conlift of — 

Regiment de SoifTonois. 

Legion de Laufun. 

Firft Battalion of Artillery. 

The Frigates are to go out on a Cruife. 



Regiment de Bourbonnois. 

" Royal Deux Ponts. 

" Saintonffe. 



ADDRESS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF RHODE 
ISLAND TO CHEVALIER DE TERNAY. 

The Reprefentatives of the State of Rhode 
Illand and Providence Plantations, in General 



62 Appendix. 

AlTembly convened, with the moft pleafing Satif- 
fadiion take this, the earlieft Opportunity, of 
teftifying the Sentiments that are impreffed upon 
them, by the great Attention which His Mofl 
Chriftian Majefty has invariably manifefted to 
the United States. The formidable Armaments 
heretofore fent to our Aid, have eflentially pro- 
moted our Happinefs and Independence; but at 
a Time when Europe is involved in the Calami- 
ties of War by the ambitious Views of the Britifli 
Court, we cannot exprefs the Gratitude we feel 
upon your Arrival, with the Fleet under your 
Command, deftined by our illuftrious Ally to the 
Affiftance of the United States. We entreat you, 
on this Occalion, to accept the warmeft Congratu- 
lations of the General AiTembly of the State of 
Rhode Illand and the Providence Plantations ; 
and be affured, Sir, of every Exertion in their 
Power to afford the necelTary Refrefhments to 
the Fleet, and to render the Service as agreea- 
ble and happy as it is honorable. 

We are, in behalf of the General Alfembly, 
The Admiral's moft obedient and 
Moft humble Servants, 

William Greene, 
William Bradford.* 
To De Chevalier Ternav. 



* Mr. Bradford was at this Time Speaker of the Lower Hoiife. The 
Addrefs was prefented by a Committee, confifting of the Hon. William 
Bradford, Efq., John I. Clark, Efc]., Mr. Jofeph Brown, Wiljinm Chan- 
ning, Robert Elliott, Metcalf Bowler, and William Richmond, Elq. 



Appendix, 63 



NEW YORK. 

Governor Clinton, of New York, with his 
MelTage at the opening of the fourth Seffioncv-,.'^oi.v.Y> Co>nm«^ 
(Auguft 4, 1780), tranfmitted to the Legiilature^tV CN>«j^3-<\,^<^" 
the Proceedings of the Bofton Convention, con--^^^"*5c^'' Cv-a.h 
cerning which he remarked as follows : 

* * * " Notwithftanding the Meafures 
hitherto purfued, and although thefe States thro' 
the Indulgence of Heaven abound with Provifions, 
the Army has not yet received feafonable and 
competent Supplies. I now communicate to you 
by Letter from the Committee of Congrefs at 
Head-Quarters, and the Commander-in-Chief,* 
upon this interefting Subject, and recommend 
them to your ferious Attention, with the fullefl 
Confidence that Nothing will be wanting on 
your Part, and that as far as the Ability of this 
State extends, no Means will be left unelfayed, to 
prevent the Misfortunes which muft inevitably 
refult from a Failure in the eflential Article of 
Subfiftence. 

" Gentlemen, When we refled: upon the Situa- 
tion of our public Affairs, it is evident our Em- 
barraffments in the Profecution of the War are 
chiefly to be attributed to a Defe6t of Power in 
thofe who ought to exercife a fupreme Direction ; 
for while Congrefs only recommend, and the 
different States deliberate upon the Propriety of 

* Thde Letters are given in the Introduftion. 



64. Appendix, 

the Recommendation, we cannot expert a Union 
of Force or Council. From this Convidiion, I 
take the Liberty of fubmitting to you whether 
further Means ought not to be devifed for accele- 
rating the propofed Confederation, and thereby 
vefting Congrefs with fuch Authority as that in 
all Matters which relate to the War, their Requi- 
litions may be peremptory. It is with Pleafure 
I find this to have been the Sentiment of a Con- 
vention of Committees from three States, lately 
held at Bofton, whofe Proceedings, at their Re- 
queft, I now lay before you." 

The Senate, in their Anfwer to the Governor's 
Speech, faid : 

* * * "The Information your Excellency has 
communicated from the Committee of Congrefs 
at Head-Quarters, and from the Commander-in- 
Chief, relative to a Supply of Provifions is fo 
interefting and important that it will claim our 
immediate Attention. 

" Convinced from Experience that the Want 
of adequate and defined Powers in the direding 
Council of the Empire has been produdive of 
much Embarralfment in profecuting the War, 
induced the Necefiity of partial Exertions from 
fome States, and much beyond their juft Propor- 
tion, prevented the Union of Force or Council, 
fo elfential to the Weal of the Confederacy, and 
evidently protracfted the War ; we will, with great 
Alacrity, attempt to devife Means, or concur in 
any which will conduce to accelerate the com- 
pletion of fuch a Confederation as will confer on 



Appendix. 65 

Congrefs competent Authority to draw from each 
Member of the Union its Proportion of Aid for 
the Common Caufe ; and that in all Meafures 
which relate to the War, their Requifitions may 
be peremptory. The Proceedings of the Con- 
vention lately held at Bofton, and communicated 
to us by your Excellency, affords us a happy 
Prefage that the Neceffity of confirming, extend- 
ing and defining the Powers of Congrefs will 
pervade the Whole." 



EXTRACT FROM THE NEW YORK SENATE JOURNAL. 

September 8, 1780. 

" A MefTage from the Honorable the Houfe 
of Aifembly, by Mr. Benfon and Mr. Dunfcomb, 
was received, with the following Refolution for 
Concurrence, viz : 

"/« Affe?fibly^ September 7, 1780. 

" Refohed (if the Honorable the Senate concur 
herein). That a Joint Committee of both Houfes 
of the Legiflature be appointed, to confider of the 
Proceedings of the Committees appointed by the 
States of MafTachufetts Bay, Connecticut and New 
Hampfhire, convened at Bofton in Auguft laft, 
and Report therein ; and that in cafe of fuch 
Concurrence Mr. L'Hommedieu, Mr. Benfon, 
and Mr. Tayler, be of the faid Joint Committee 
on the Part of this Houfe. 

I 



66 Appendix. 

" Refolved^ That this Senate do concur with the 
Honorable the Houfe of AlTembly in their faid 
Refolution, and that Mr. Schuyler, Mr. Roofevelt, 
and Mr. Piatt, be of the faid Joint Committee on 
the Part of this Senate." 



"/« Senate, Sept. 22, 1780. 

* * * " yiY. Benfon, from the Joint 
Committee of the Senate and AfTembly, to whom 
was referred the Proceedings of the Committees 
appointed by the States of Maffachufetts Bay, 
Connecticut and New Hampfhire (convened in 
Bofton in Auguft laft), reported : That in the 
Opinion of the faid Committee, Commiffioners 
ought to be appointed on the Part of this State 
to meet Commiffioners from other States in a 
Convention, propofed to be held at Hartford on 
the fecond Wednefday in November next, and 
that the Committee had prepared a Draft of In- 
ftru6tions for the Commiffioners to be appointed 
for this State." 

This Report was accepted; and on the 26th of 
September, Philip Schuyler, John Slofs Hobart, 
and Egbert Benfon were appointed Commiffioners 
to reprefent the State of New York in the pro- 
pofed Convention at Hartford. 



Appendix. 67 



UNITED STATES BILLS OF CREDIT. 

FINANCIAL RESOLUTIONS OF CONGRESS. 

The financial Subje6t, alluded to on Page 44, 
is embodied in the following Action of Congreis 
on the 2d of January, 1779. 

"The Board of Treafury having, purfuant to 
Orders, feledted from the Journals the Refolutions 
refpedting the calling in certain Emiffions, and 
providing a Fund for finking the Bills of Credit 
emitted by Congrefs, and prepared a preamble 
thereto, reported the fame ; and fundry verbal 
Amendments being made in the Refolutions, the 
Whole was agreed to as follows : 

Whereas^ Thefe United States, unprovided with 
Revenues, and not heretofore in a Condition to 
raife them, have, in the Courfe of the prefent 
War, repeatedly been under the Neceffity of 
emitting Bills of Credit, for the Redemption of 
which, the Faith of thefe United States has been 
folemnly pledged, and the Credit of which their 
Honor and Safety, as well as Jufi:ice, is highly 
concerned to fupport and efiiablifh ; and whereas^ 
to this End, it is efi^entially necefi^ary to afcertain 
the Periods of their Redemption, and feafonably 
to efiiablifh Funds which, in due Time, without 
difi:refiing the People, fhall make adequate Pro- 
vifion for the fame ; and whereas, in appointing 
the Payments for the faid Fund, it is expedient 



68 Appendix. 

that an extra Sum be called for the current Year, 
both on Account of the prefent Eafe of paying it, 
and to reduce the Surplus in Circulation ; there- 
fore, 

" Refohed, That thefe United States be called 
on to pay in their refped:ive Quotas of 15,000,000 
Dollars for the Year 1779, and of 6,000,000 of 
Dollars annually for 1 8 Years, from and after the 
Year 1779, as a Fund for fmking the Emiffions 
and Loans of thefe United States to the 31ft of 
December, 1778, inclufive : 

"That if the Continuance and Circumftances of 
the War fhall make any further Emiffions necef- 
fary for the Year enfuing, they (hall be funk in 
the Manner and within the Period aforefaid : 

" That any of the Bills emitted by Order of 
Congrefs, prior to the Year 1780, and no others, 
be received in Payment of the faid Quotas : 

"That the Bills received on the faid Quotas, 
except thofe for the Year 1779, be applied firft 
for the Payment of the Intereft, and fecondly, 
for the principal of Loans made by thefe United 
States prior to the Year 1780, and that the Refi- 
due, together with thofe received on the Quotas 
of the Year 1779, be not reilfued but burned and 
deftroyed, as Congrefs fhall dired:." 

The Illue of May 20, 1777, and April 11, 
1778, having been extenfively counterfeited and 
circulated by the Enemy, it was refolved that they 
- fhould be firft taken out of the Circulation ; and 
for this Purpofe, they were made receivable for 
Debts and Taxes into the Continental Treafury, 



Appendix. 



69 



and into the State Treafuries, for Continental 
Taxes, until the firft of June following. They 
were, alfo, to be received into the Continental 
Loan Offices, and for Exchange for indented Cer- 
tificates. 

The Quotas of the 15,000,000 of Dollars to 
be raifed by Taxes in 1779, was affigned as fol- 
lows : 



New Hamplhire, - - - - 

MalTachufetts Bay, - - - 
Rhode Illand and Providence Planta- 
tions, _ _ - - - 
Conned:icut, _ _ - - 
New York, - - - 
New Jerfey, - 
Pennfylvania, - - 
Delaware, _ _ - - 
Maryland, - - - - - 
Virginia, - - - - - 
North Carolina, > - - - 
South Carolina, _ _ _ 
Georgia, _ - - - - 



$500,000 
2,000,000 

300,000 
1,700,000 

800,000 

800,000 
1,900,000 

150,000 
1,560,000 
2,400,000 
1,090,000 
1,800,000 
0,000,000 

115,000,000 



On the 7th of Odtober, 1779, the Committee, 
appointed to apportion the Quotas of the refpec- 
tive States, brought in a Report ; whereupon it 
was refolved, that the Quotas of the feveral States 
to make up the monthly AfTefTment of 15,000,000. 
Dollars, to be paid the firft Day of February 
next, on the firft Day of each fucceeding Month, 



70 



Appendix. 



to the iirft Day of October next, inclafive, as 
follows : 



New Hampfhire, - 
MafTachufetts Bay, 
Rhode Illand, &c., 
Connecticut, 
New York, - 
New Jerfey, 
Pennfylvania, 
Delaware, 
Maryland, - 
Virginia, - 
North Carolina, - 
South Carolina, 



^400,000 
2,300,000 

200,000 
1,700,000 

750,000 

900,000 
2,300,000 

170,000 
1,580,000 
2,500,000 
1,000,000 
1,200,000 



f 15,000,000 

Georgia, being invaded, is hereafter to raife its 
Proportion. 



RESOLUTIONS IN CONGRESS. 

Passed March 18, 1780. 

Thefe United States having been driven into 
this juft and neceffary War, at the Time when 
no regular civil Governments were eftablifhed, of 
fufficient Energy to enforce the Collection of 
Taxes, or to provide Funds for the Redemption 
of fuch Bills of Credit as their Neceffities obliged 
them to iiTue ; and before the Powers of Europe 
were fufficiently convinced of the Juftice of 



Appendix. 7 1 

their Caufe, or of the probable Event of the 
Controverfy, to afford them Aid or Credit, in 
Confequence of which, their Bills increafing in 
Quantity beyond the Sum neceffary for the Pur- 
pofe of a circulating Medium, and wanting, at 
the fame Time, fpecific Funds to reft on for their 
Redemption, they have feen them daily fink in 
Value, notwithftanding every Effort that has been 
made to fupport the fame ; infomuch that they 
are now paffed, by common Confent, in moll: 
Parts of thefe United States, at leafl: 39-4oths 
below their nominal Value, and ftill remain in a 
State of Depreciation, whereby the Community 
fuffers great Injuftice, the public Finances are 
deranged, and the neceffary Difpofitions for the 
Defence of the Country are much impeded and 
perplexed ; and whereas^ effe(5lually to remedy 
thefe Evils, for which Purpofe the United States 
are now become Competent, their Dependency 
being well allured, their civil Governments ef- 
tabliilied and vigorous, and the Spirit of their 
Citizens ardent for Exertion, it is neceffary fpeedily 
to reduce the Quantity of the Paper Medium in 
Circulation, and to eftablilh and appropriate Funds 
that fhall enfure the pundiual Redemption of the 
Bills ; therefore, 

Refohed, That the feveral States continue to 
bring into the Continental Treafury by Taxes or 
otherwife their full Quotas of 1 5,000,000 Dollars 
monthly, as affigned to them by the Refolution 
of the 7th of Odlober, 1779; a Claufe in the 
Refolution of the 23d of February, for relinquifh- 



7 2 Appendix. 

ing two-thirds of the faid Quotas, to the contrary 
notwithftanding ; and that the States be further 
called on to make Provilion for continuing to 
bring into the faid Treafury their like Quotas 
monthly, to the Month of April, 1781, inclufive : 

That Silver and Gold be receivable in Payment 
of the faid Quotas, at the Rate of one Spanifh 
milled Dollar in lieu of 40 Dollars of the Bills 
now in Circulation : 

That the faid Bills, as paid in, except for the 
Months of January and February paft, which 
may be necelTary for the Difcharge of paft Con- 
traits, be not reifTued, but deftroyed : 

That as faft as the faid Bills fhall be brought 
in to be deftroyed, and Funds fhall be eftablifhed 
as hereinafter mentioned, for other Bills, other 
Bills be iffued, not to exceed, on any Account, 
one-twentieth Part of the nominal Sum of the 
Bills brought to be deftroyed : 

That the Bills which fliall be illued be re- 
deemable in Specie within fix Years after the 
prefent, and bear an Intereft at the Rate of five 
per centum per annum, to be paid alfo in Specie 
at the Redemption of the Bills, on, at the Elec- 
tion of the Holder, annually, at the refped:ive 
Continental Loan-Offices, in Sterling Bills of 
Exchange, drawn by the United States on their 
Commiffioners in Europe at ^Jdd Sterling per 
Dollar : 

That the faid new Bills ifliie on the Funds of 
individual States, for that Purpofe efi:abli{hed, and 
be figned by Perfons appointed by them, and that 



Appendix. 73 

the Faith of the United States be alfo pledged for 
the Payment of the faid Bills, in Cafe any State 
on whofe Funds they fhall be emitted fhould, by 
the Events of War, be rendered incapable to re- 
deem them ; which undertaking of the United 
States, and that of drawing Bills of Exchange for 
Payment of Intereft as aforefaid, fhall be endorfed 
on the Bills to be emitted and iigned by a Com- 
miffioner to be appointed by Congrefs for that 
Purpofe : 

That the Face of the Bills to be emitted read 
as follows, viz : 

The PolTelTor of this Bill fliall be paid 
Spanifli milled Dollars, by the 31 ft of December, 
1786, with Intereft in like Money, at the Rate 
of five per cent per annum, by the State of 

, according to an A61 of the Legiflature of 
the faid State, of the Day of , 1780 : 

And the Endorfement fliall be as follows, viz : 

The United States enfure the Payment of the 
within Bill, and will draw Bills of Exchange for 
the Intereft annually, if demanded, according to 
a Refolution of Congrefs of the i8th Day of 
March, 1780 : 

That the faid new Bills ftiall be ftruck under 
the Direction of the Board of Treafury, in due 
Proportion for each State, according to their faid 
monthly Quotas, and lodged in the Continental 
Loan-Offices in the refpedlive States, where the 
Commiffioner to be appointed by Congrefs, in 
Conjunction with fuch Perfons as the refped:ive 
States appoint, ftiall attend the figning of the faid 
K 



74 Appendix. 

Bills ; which fhall be completed no fafter than in 
the aforelaid Proportion of one to twenty of the 
other Bills brought in to be deftroyed, and which 
fhall be lodged for that Purpofe in the faid Loan- 
Offices : 

That as the faid new Bills are ligned and com- 
pleted, the States refpediively, on whofe Funds 
they iffue, receive lix-tenths of them, and that 
the Remainder be fubje6t to the Orders of the 
United States, and credited to the States on whofe 
Funds they are ilTued, the Accounts whereof fhall 
be adjufted agreeably to the Refolution of 06t. 

6, 1779: .... 

That the faid new Bills be receivable in Pay- 
ment of the faid monthly Quotas, at the fame 
Rate as aforefaid of Specie ; the Intereft thereon 
to be computed to the refpedtive States, to the 
Day the Payment becomes due : 

That the refped:ive States be charged with fuch 
Parts of the Intereft on their faid Bills as fliall be 
paid by the United States in Bills of Exchange ; 
and the Accounts thereof fhall be adjufted agreea- 
bly to the Refolution aforefaid, of the 6th of 
Odober, 1779 : 

That whenever Intereft on the Bills to be 
emitted fliall be paid prior to their Redemption, 
fuch Bills fliall be thereupon exchanged for others 
of the like Tenor, to bear Date from the Expi- 
ration of the Year for which fuch Intereft is paid : 

That the feveral States be called on to provide 
Funds for their Quota of the faid new Bills, to 
be fo productive as to fink or redeem one-fixth 



Appendix. 75 

Part of them annually, after the firft Day of 
January next : 

That Nothing in the foregoing Refolution fhall 
be conftrued to afcertain the Proportions of the 
Expenfe incurred by the War, which each State 
on a final Adjuftment ought to be charged with, 
or to exclude the Claims of any State to have the 
Prices at which different States have furnifhed 
Supplies for the Army hereafter taken into Con- 
lideration and equitably adjusted : 

That the foregoing Refolutions, with a Letter 
from the Prefident, be defpatched to the Execu- 
tive of the feveral States, and that they be requefted 
to call their Affemblies, if not already convened, 
as fpeedily as poffible to take them into immediate 
Confideration, and to eftablifh ample and certain 
Funds for the Purpofes therein mentioned, and 
to take every other Meafure neceffary to carry 
the fame into full and vigorous Effect; and they 
tranfmit their Ad:s for that Purpofe to Congrefs 
without Delay. 



The Legiflature of New York, on the 4th of 
March, 1779, paffed an Ad: to call out of Circu- 
lation the Iffues of May 20, 1777, and April 11, 
1778, by requiring them to be paid into the 
Continental Loan-Office for exchange. On the 
6th of March, 1780, this State, as a further Mea- 
fure in Support of the public Credit, paffed 
*' An Ad: for raifing the Sum of 5,000,000 of 



76 Appendix, 

Dollars by Tax within this State, and for other 
Purpofes therein mentioned." 

This A(5t provided for Tax upon the feveral 
Counties of 3,000,000 of Dollars, to be paid on 
the I ft of April, and 2,000,000 by the ift of July. 

In New Jerfey, this Meafure was met by the 
Paffage of an Ad:, on the 8th of June, 1779, 
entitled " An A6t to raife the Sum of one Million 
of Pounds in the State of New Jerfey." It pro- 
vided for an AlTelTment upon the Perfons and 
Property of the Inhabitants ; and the Powers and 
Duties of the Officers charged with carrying the 
Law into Effedt were prefcribed in Detail. 



FINIS. 




INDEX. 



ADDRESS of General Aflembly 
of Rhode Ifland to Gen. Ro- 

chambeau, 59; to Chevalier de 

Ternay, 61. 
Alline, Henry, 40. 
Andre, Major, fatirical Poem of, 

xxxi. 
Arnold, Benedift, Letter from, 

xxviii. 
Articles of Confederation, Weak- 

nefs of, iv; when adopted, 51. 
Avery, John, 36. 

DEEP, Price of, 42. 

^ Benfon, Egbert, 65, 66. 

Bills of Credit, Decline in Value 
of, vii ; fhould be funk, 44 ; 
Depreciation in Value, Mafla- 
chufetts and New York, 45 ; 
Recommendation againft further 
Iffue of, 48 ; Specie Rate of, 72. 

Blaine, Ephraim, Letter from, xvii; 
Letter to, xx. 

Block Houfe, Attack on, xxx. 

Boards fhould be formed, 51. 

Bowler, Metcalf, 62. 

Bowdoin, James, Extraft from Let- 
ter to, xxxii. 

Bradford, William, appointed Com- 
miflioner, 36, 58. 

Brown, Jofeph, 62. 



Buckwheat, Price of, 42. 

Bull's Ferry, Block Houfe at, xxx. 

Butter, Price of, 42. 

/CAMPAIGN, earneft Meafures 

^ fhould be adopted to aid, 50. 

Cattle, Supplies of, tardy, xvii. 

Channing, William, 62. 

Cheefe, Price of, 42, 

Chriftana, Flour at, xvii. 

Circular Letter of Committee of 
Congrefs, xiii, xxi. 

Clark, John L, 62. 

Chnton, Gov., Letter to Ephraim 
Blaine, xx; communicates Pro- 
ceedings to General Wafhington, 
xxxii ; Extraft from MefTage of, 
63; Reply of Senate, 64. 

Confederation, NecefTity urged, 50, 

56. 

Congrefs, circular Letter of, xni, 
xxi; Powers of, fhould be more 
clearly defined, 50; financial Re- 
folutions of, 67 ; Refolutions of, 
68, 70. 

Connefticut, reprefented, 35 ; Pow- 
ers granted to CommifTioners, 36; 
financial Quotas of, 69, 70. 

Conqueft, Progrefs of, viii. 

Conflitution early Suggeflion re- 
lating to, V. 



78 



Indi 



ex. 



Convention at Bofton, Circumftan- 
ces that occafioned, xxxi ; Pro- 
ceedings of, 35; Neceffity for, 
ftated, 53, 54. 

Convention at Hartford recom- 
mended, 52; Commiffioners ap- 
pointed by New Y"ori<, 66. 

Corn, price of, 42. 

Council of MafTachufetts, Letter to 
Prefident of, 56. 

Cufliing, Thomas, 35, 52; chofen 
Prefident, 40. 

"r\EBTS, Scale of Depreciation 

^"^ for adjufting, 45. 

Delaware, financial Quotas of, 69, 

7°- . . 
Depreciation of public Credit, vii; 

in Value of Bills of Credit in 

Maffachufetts and New York, 

45-. 
Defertions, Danger from,xiv. 

De Ternay, Addrefs to, 61. 

Dunfcomb, Mr., 65. 

Dyer, Eliphalet, 37. 

"pLK, Flour at, xvii. 
'^ Elliott, Robert, 62. 
Embargo, Repeal of, on Land 

Traiifportation urged, 43. 
Exemptions urged for a Clafs of 

Employees, xviii. 
Exhauftion of Refources, viii. 

PINANCIAL Refolutions of 

Congrefs, 67. 
Fines, military, complained of, xix. 
Flour, Scarcity of, xvii. 
Forage, Scarcity of, xii. 
France induced to fend Troops to 

America, xxx. 
Frauds fhould be prevented in fup- 

plying French Troops, 43. 
French land Forces at Rhode Ifiand, 

61 ; Veffels at Rhode Ifiand, 61 . 



/GEORGIA, financial Quotas of, 
^ 69, 70. 

Gold and Silver, Rate ot Bills of 
Credit in, 72. 

Gorham, Nathaniel, 35. 

Greene, Gov. William, Letter of, 
to Gov. Trumbull, 55; Letter 
to Council of Maffachufetts, 56. 

■pJARTFORD, Convention at, 
recommended, 52; Commif- 
fioners appointed to attend Con- 
vention at, 66. 

Hides, Price of, 72. 

Hobart, John Slofs, 66. 

TLLICIT Trade, Prevention of, 

44. 
Impreffinent, necefiary Refort to, 

xii. 
Intelligence to Enemy fhould be 

flopped, 49. 
Introduftion, vii. 

T A FAYETTE, General, In- 
"^ fluence of, procures Aid from 

France, xxix. 
Langdon, John, 35, 40. 
Land, Price of, 42. 
Leather, Price of, 72. 
L'Hommedieu, Mr., 65. 
Lowell, John, 35. 

\/f AGAZINES fliould be filled, 

52, 
Markets fhould be well fupplied, 

43- 
Maryland, financial Quotas of, 69, 

70. 

Maffachufetts reprefented, 35 ; Pow- 
ers granted to Commiffioners, 36; 
financial Quotas of, 69, 70. 

Matthews, Jno., Letters of, xiii, 
xvii. 

Meafures recommended, 40. 



Indi 



ex. 



79 



Meeting of Committees, 35. 

Medical Attendance on fick Sol- 
diers, 49. 

Men, Deficiency in Quotas of, 40, 
41. 

Militia, Number called out, xi ; 
New Hampfhire, xi ; Maflachu- 
fetts, xi ; New York, xi ; New 
Jerfey, xi. 

"^J'EW Hampfliire reprefented, 
35 ; financial Quotas of, 69, 

7°- ^ 
Newport, French Troops arrive at, 

XXX. 

New Jerfey Embargo, 44 ; financial 
Ouotas of, 69, 70 ; Aftion of, in 
Relation to Bills of Credit, 76. 

New York invited to fend Delegates 
to Convention, 52 ; to be notified 
of Proceedings, 52; Proceedings 
in Legiflature upon Subjedl of 
Convention, 63 ; Senate Journal, 
Extradl: from, 65 ; financial Quo- 
tas of, 69, 70 ; x'\6lion of, in 
Relation to Bills of Credit, 75. 

North Carolina, financial Quotas 
of, 69, 70. 

/^ATS, Price of, 42. 

PATRIOTISM, Appeal to, xxi. 
Pay of Officers infufiicient, vii. 
Peas and Beans, Price of, 42. 
Pennfylvania, financial Quotas of, 

69, 70. 
Piatt, Mr., 66. 
Powers of Commiffioners, 36, t,j , 

Prefident of Convention, 40. 
Prices, Advances in, 41 ; Lifts of, 

41, 42 : Limitation of, 42. 
Provifions, Scarcity of, xi, xiv, xvii, 

xviii, xxviii. 



Purchafes, Uniformity neceffary in, 
41 ; Recommendations concern- 
ing, 41. 

QUOTAS, Deficiency in, 41. 
Quotas of Bills of Credit, 62, 
69, 70 ; to' be affigned for Can- 
cellation, 44, 45, 48. 
Quotas of Troops, Completion of, 
ix ; Extent to which filled, x ; 
how credited on, 50. 

n EPLY of Count Rochambeau 

•'^ to General Aflembly of Rhode 
Ifland, 60. 

Rhode Ifland Troops, Return of, 
xiii ; not reprefented, 36 ; in- 
vited to fend Delegates to Con- 
vention, 52; Proceedings of, in 
Relation to Convention, 53, 57. 

Richmond, Wm., 62. 

Rochambeau, Count, Addrefs to, 
59 ; Reply to Addrefs of Rhode 
Ifland General Aflembly, 60. 

Roofevelt, Mr., 66. 

Root, Jefle, 35, 38. 

Rye, Price of, 42. 

CCHUYLER, Philip, 66. 

^ Senate, N. Y.. Reply of, to 

Governor Clinton, 64; Extract 

from Journal, 65 ; Report of 

Committee of, 66. 
Shoes, Price of, 72. 
Sicknefs, Aid to Soldiers in, 49. 
Sinking Fund, 69. 
Soldiers taken fick fhould be cared 

for, 49. 
South Carolina, financial Quotas of, 

69, 70. 
Spain aflifting the Colonies indi- 

redlly, xxii. 
Stevens, Nath., Letter to, xxviii. 
Supplies fhould be tranfported to 



8o 



Index. 



Army, 43 ; fhould be collefted, 

51. 52- 
Supreme Head, neceflary for the 

States, iv, 50. 

npALLOW, Price of, 42. 
•■■ Taxes for finking Bills of 
Credit, 45,48, 68, 69, 71, 76. 

Tayler, Mr., 65. 

Teaming, Price of, 72. 

Tranfportation, Difficulty in pro- 
curing, xii. 

Troops, Number aflembled under 
Quotas, X ; Deficiencies in, xi. 

Trumbull, Jonathan, 38 ; Gov., 
Letter from, 53. 



T TNITED States Bills of Credit, 

VESSELS, French, at Rhode 
^ Ifland, 61. 
Virginia, financial Quotas of, 69, 70. 

VyAGES, Advance of, 72. 

Wafhington, General, Letter 
from, to Committee of Con- 
grefs, ix; favorable Opinion of 
Convention exprefTed by, xxxii. 

Wayne, General, Attack on Block 
Houfe, XXX. 

Weare, Mr. 40. 

Wheat, Price of, 42. 



W68 I 



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